IKEA Achieves Zero-Waste-to-Landfill Status in the UK

ConnectorWinter 2017

IKEA UK’s 2016 sustainability report, released on January 16, 2017, revealed that, from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016, zero waste from facilities was sent to landfill. The report also reveals that IKEA UK is operating with a 90.6% recycling rate and that 9.4% of the 33,944 tonnes of waste produced was used for energy recovery.

IKEA UK’s positive waste management work did hit a few challenges along the way: the firm saw a 12% increase in food waste in 2016 but the report notes that all of the food waste was processed to make biogas for energy production or fertilizer. More than one million products were also returned to UK stores due to transportation damage, customers changing their mind, and missing parts. A recovery and repair department ensured that these products were, however, re-packaged and sold in-store at discount prices in an effort to minimize waste.